Getting a tattoo can be an exciting, and nerve-wracking, experience. There’s a lot that goes into getting a tattoo, and while the process can be a bit complicated, you should feel comfortable during the process and happy with the tattoo you end up with.

There are lots of things to keep in mind before and during your tattoo session to help make sure the process goes smoothly. With a little bit of preparation beforehand and a lot of communication, you can end up with the best tattoo possible.

Ask Questions

The first thing you can do to make sure your tattoo session goes as smoothly as possible is to ask questions. Asking questions both before and during your session will make sure that you understand the process and expectations thoroughly. Some tattoo shops will have employees at a front desk who can help to answer your questions before you head back to your session or if you’ve not yet scheduled your tattoo session with the tattoo artist. Not all tattoo shops will have customer service representatives to help answer questions, though, and if that’s the case when you walk through the door, you can usually ask questions directly to your tattoo artist. Some employees at tattoo shops might come across as uninterested or bored with your questions, which is an unfortunate attitude that has prevailed in the tattoo industry for quite some time. Don’t let that deter you from getting your questions answered, though!

Don’t Be Afraid to Leave

Some tattoo artists are very particular about the styles they will tattoo. If you’re not sure what style the tattoo you’d like to get is, or if you have an image of the type of tattoo you’d like from Pinterest or somewhere else online, you may run into this when showing your idea to the tattoo artist. If you run into any pushback from your tattoo artist about the style of the tattoo or any other details about the art you’d like to get inked, don’t be afraid to leave. Not every tattoo artist is a good fit for your tattoo, and that’s okay! There are plenty of tattoo artists out there who are experts in a variety of tattoo styles like the artists at Certified Tattoo Studios, some of the best tattoo artists in the Denver Metro Area, so if a particular artist isn’t a good fit for you, you can always leave and find someone who’s more enthusiastic about the art you’d like to get.

Respect the Artist

Respecting the tattoo artist goes hand in hand with the previous tip—many of the reasons you might encounter pushback when talking to a tattoo artist about your tattoo is due to a lack of respect that the artist might feel. While all tattoo artists are indeed artists in their own right, they all specialize in different types of tattoos. It’s important to figure out the tattoo art styles you like and determine what would work best for your tattoo design before approaching a tattoo artist about scheduling your session. It’s a good idea to have an idea of what tattoo artist would be a good fit for your tattoo. If you approach a tattoo artist whose work is completely different than the tattoo you’re wanting to get, it can potentially offend the artist. Not all artists are this way, but this is where doing your research and viewing a tattoo artist’s portfolio before contacting them about getting your tattoo can go a long way.

Be Open to Suggestions

Tattoo artists are incredibly skilled in their art form and in the particular tattoo styles they work in. Because of this, it’s great to go into your tattoo consultation with an open mind and be willing to consider suggestions on behalf of the artist. The beauty of working with an experienced tattoo artist is that they can work with you to create a unique, one-of-a-kind tattoo based on your initial idea. Hearing out the artist’s suggestions goes a long way, too, in instilling a mutual sense of respect between the tattooer and the tattooee. Going into the tattoo process with an open mind and willingness to consider suggestions only means that your tattoo can come out even better than you imagined!

Communicate Your Budget

It’s super important to communicate your budget to whoever you talk to at the tattoo studio when scheduling your consultation and appointment. Whether the studio you are working with has a front-desk person to help you navigate the tattoo process, or you’ll be working with the artist directly, budget is important! Having a budget in mind, and recognizing that a good tattoo is a worthwhile investment and worth the price tag, can help communication between you and your tattoo artist go smoothly. The thing to keep in mind when communicating with your tattoo studio is that your budget essentially dictates the tattoo you can get, so it’s smart to head into the entire process with a rough budget already in mind. This will help both you and your tattoo artist figure out the perfect strategy for your new art!

Whether you’re a tattoo veteran or a newbie who’s never set foot in a tattoo studio before, there’s always room to improve your experience and your knowledge of the process. By keeping these five things in mind, you’ll be in the perfect position to walk into the tattoo studio confidently and walk out with the perfect tattoo you can love and show off for the rest of your life!

If you’re interested in booking a tattoo session with an artist at Certified Tattoo Studios, where our artists are some of the best tattoo artists in the Denver Metro Area, schedule your free consultation to get started. We’re more than happy to meet virtually or over the phone to discuss your tattoo ideas and get you set up for an amazing experience from start to finish.